Let me start the issue
directly. According to the Human
Development Report 2014, the life expectancy of the Karnali people is 49 years
where as 67.8 years of people who are living in 13 zones of Nepal. Here, the
Karnali people lost 18.8 years (67.8-49 years). My mind is continuously counting
ahead. Today, the average population of Karnali is 500,000 means the Karnali people
lost their life by 9, 400, 000 (18.8 years’ x 500,000). If
we calculate the number of population from the national life expectancy, the
total LOST population is 138,643.1 (9,400,000 x 67.8 years) and 191, 836.7 if
we calculate from Karnali’s life expectancy (9,400,000 x49 years). If we
calculate the total number of LOST population for 226 years, it is 43,355,102
(191,836.7 x 226 years, the experts claimed that the Karnali is in isolation
when the unification of Nepal taken place or about 226 years before).
The
number of population either 138,643.1 or 191,836.7 or 43,355,102 is a perfect
genocide within country or by state. I
convicted for calling genocide because it ‘is the intent to systematically
eliminate a cultural, ethnic, linguistic, national, racial or religious group.’
My heart doesn’t allow to rest. Why it happened? It is happened by the
negligence of the government. If so what is role of political leaders from
Karnali? Karnali is always represented in parliament since beginning no matter of
nature and name of political system. If the Karnali leaders are failed or
incapable (I assumed) what is role of other leaders or parliamentarian? Where is the role of political parties and
their sister’s organization? What sorts of Nepal do Nepali political leaders
seeking for? Do they know why Nepal has ranked under the least developing
country in the world? Does it because of the statistics of Jhapa or Taplejung
or Sarlahi or Gulmi or Myagdi or Kathmandu? No, not at all. It is because of
the Karnali. Without intervening at Karnali, is it possible to uplift Nepal’s
economic and human capital as Nepal signed at global forum. Signing and
delivering the speech is similar forms of activities which can be done within
cocoon of comfort zones. Cutting the story short, it is because of another
layer of negligence of political parties and leaders largely. They are very
busy and competent in leg pulling, pushing, bullying, criticizing and brining
popular agenda for Karnali e.g. Karnali Employment Program. The experiences conclude that they believe in
words not for works or actions or results. More importantly, they are working
for parties not for the people.
Except
small chunk of elites and neo-elites, Karnali people are living in 2000-3000 BC
as shown in Stonehenge, London. It is very true that many people are dying
without experiencing of the basic services and infrastructure such as
electricity, telephone, health, education and motor able roads. In March 17,
2016, my brother called me for seeking help in rescuing a new-born baby girl
due to death of her mother from bleeding after childbirth at so called hospital
at Mugu district on behalf of the local journalist from Mugu. It’s shame for
yesterday and today that Nepal has very far away from the real ground. A single
death of woman denotes many things at home, community and health institutions.
To me, this death is more than urged to call for action to political leaders. Principally,
political leaders should take the accountability. Unfortunately, in my 15
years’ experience in Jumla and Karnali, I didn’t feel the proactive role of
political leaders and parties for cause except few exceptional cases. Where to
start to solve the issues? Road is a vehicle to bring trade, tourism and basic
services but no one considered as priority. Because none of their wives,
daughters or any family members would die in Karnali due to not having blood,
or emergency obstetric service, they are living either in Kathmandu or
Nepalgunj or get down to these cities before expected.
In
this scenario, where is the accountability of non-state actors which are
engaging in Karnali. Do they calculate
the cost of depriving of human capability and poverty in Karnali? How do they
define the and analyse the relationship and impact of human right and
democracy?
Where
is the experts of this countries? Even today, the Dolpa and Humla are not connected
by roads. The Karnali is rich in natural flora and fauna, biodiversity and
tourism but no any significant plant and plan for it. The government is sending the rice since 1970 or
replacing bread and potatoes, making dependent, paralysed and pushing for the
migration. Does anyone challenging the mode of working of state and non-state actor?
If
we forget about the life expectancy, there are many others concerns who justify
the genocide in Karnali further. The entire country experienced of boarder
blocked for 6 months in southern boarder but the Karnali is in blockade since
history.
Again, Nepal has put the
signatory for Sustainable Development Goals 2030. As above mentioned, how does
Nepal would prosperous without investing on and for Karnali. The all state and
non-state actors exploiting the beauty and resources of Karnali in a way and
the other engaged in genocide since 226 years. In order to break this cycle, the interfere
action (hastachhepkari niti ra karyakram) should be in place under the
leadership of local people but never ever change by NGO work. Karnali needs
efforts on road, trade, tourism followed by quality basic services. Each
activity of an individual has been contributing either for peace or conflict. Let’s
put all hands and efforts to contribute for culture of peace in Karnali to
redefine the identity of Nepal globally.
PS: forward to Kathmandu Post.
